Wise Men Seek Jesus

Sermon Outline for Sunday, December 5, 2021

Wise men, also known as Magi, come to see the new born Jesus. They were men from the East, probably Persia, emissaries from one or more foreign nations who were seeking truth. They were influential men of learning and authority, the skilled scientists of their day: skilled in philosophy, science, medicine, and astrology. It is thought that they were the priestly order of Persia, the ministers and advisors to the Persian rulers.

THEIR TRIP

 

Matthew 2:1 ESV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

Bethlehem: the city was only six miles south of Jerusalem. Its fame was due to two facts: (1) It had been the home and city of David; and (2) it was prophesied to be the city of the Messiah’s birth (Micah 5:2). All Jews knew these facts, and those who truly believed in a coming Messiah looked for the Messiah to come through David’s line and to establish an eternal government.

Micah 5:2 ESV

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

THEIR TESTIMONY

 

Matthew 2:2 ESV

saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Seeking, Jesus: the wise men’s unexpected question—Where is the newborn King? How did the wise men know the King of the Jews had been born? The answer is not given, but two other significant facts are.

a. They had a most unusual journey: they were guided by a star. What is meant by “his star”? Again the answer is not given. However, v. 9 seems to indicate that it was some astronomical light. This much is known: whatever it was, it was a miracle. It was a miracle at least in this sense: it appeared at the very time of Jesus’ birth; it appeared to Gentile wise men far away in another nation; it guided them to Jerusalem where they were to worship Jesus; it appeared at the very time they were given knowledge of the newborn King; and it appeared again for the specific purpose of guiding them.

b. They had a most significant purpose: their purpose was to worship the newborn King. They had come to pay homage to a child whom they understood was to be King of the Jews. They expected what any foreigner would have expected: the child would be a son of the reigning king. Jesus, of course, was not. It was this fact that disturbed Herod so much. He concluded what any reigning monarch would: there was a movement to overthrow the throne (see note—Mt. 2:3).

Where is He? Every person needs to be asked the question, for He has already come and most are not aware of it. Why? Because they are preoccupied with self and worldly affairs, with ambition and material possessions, with the physical and the flesh.

• “Where is He?” It is totally unexpected that the message would come from the Gentiles and heathen of the world.

• “Where is He?” It is totally unexpected that His own people do not know.

• “Where is He?” It is totally unexpected that the religionists do not know.

How far away from God and how lost the world has become—not to know that God has sent the true King, His own Son, into the world!

THEIR TREASURE

Matthew 2:11 ESV

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

1. GOLD – symbolic of His Kingship

2. FRANKINCENSE – symbolic of His Priesthood

3. MYRRH – symbolic of His healing as Savior

The wise men’s unexpected King—a humble child in humble surroundings. They found the child King in a house. No doubt the wise men had expected the child to be the son of a reigning monarch with all the splendor, wealth, and royalty attached. They had expected Him to be known by all. How unlike what they found—a child with common parents in a humble house!

Note: they gave the child King worship. Matthew records that they bowed down and worshipped the newborn king. He says nothing about their having worshipped Herod.

THEIR TRAINING

 

Matthew 2:12 ESV

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

There is an enormous drive in some men to worship God. The wise men had such a drive. They had a compelling drive to worship the newborn king, and they had been ever so faithful and diligent in seeking Him. Anyone who diligently seeks God’s Son can expect to be met and directed by God. God met and warned the wise men of impending danger. He will meet and direct the path of any believer who diligently seeks Him.

When people meet Jesus, they leave a different way.

 

1 John 2:8 ESV

At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

THIS VERSE IS NOT IN THE OUTLINE

 

Matthew 12:11 ESV

He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?

Pastor Andy Lambert ~ pastorandy@cvcog.church